Building constuction

ABSTRACT

A building construction with hollow vertical pillars to which the required girders are directly connected. The pillars have a many-cornered, particularly a four-cornered, profile, and the side walls of the pillars are of corrugated shape, each side wall having alternating inner and outer peaks of trapezoidal shape. The outer peaks in the side walls are disposed on opposite sides of an inner peak, there being provided flanges which partially cover the space within the peaks. At each of the corners of the pillar there is provided an outwardly extending rib; at least on two side surfaces the pillar is provided with apertures on which to hang girders.

United States Patent 1 Strassle BUILDING CONSTUCTION [76] Inventor: Marcel Rudolf Strassle, 9533 Kirchberg, Switzerland 2 [22] Filed: Oct. 1, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 77,251

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 19, 1970 Switzerland ..l2428/70 52 us. 01., ..52/646 [*51] Int. Cl. ..E04h 12/00 [58] Field of Search ..52/646, 645, 280, 238, 239, 52/241, 242; 5/296 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Buelow ..287/l89.36 R 2,376,347

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,243,605 9/1960 France ..52/308 Dewey ..5/296- [451 Feb. 13, 1973 12,626 3/1897 GreatBritain ..5/296 972,168 11/1964 Great Britain ..52/238 l,052,1 1O l2/l966 Great Britain ..52/238 Primary Examiner-John E. Murtagh Attorney-Lilling and Siege] [57] ABSTRACT A building construction with hollow vertical pillars to which the required girders are directly connected. The pillars have a many-cornered, particularly a four-cornered, profile, and the side walls of the pillars are of corrugated shape,-each side wall having alternating inner and outer peaks of trapezoidal shape. The outer peaks in the side walls are disposed on opposite sides of an inner peak, there being provided flanges which partially cover the space within the peaks. At each of the corners of the pillar there is provided an outwardly extending rib; at least on two side surfaces the pillar is provided with apertures on which to hang girders.

7 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEU E 13 I973 SHEET 10F 6 Fig.2

IN VENTOR mm: srRHss Q31 M (Q PATENTEDFEB 13 ms SHEET 3 BF 6 IN VENTOR Marcel STRHSSLE 2% m HiiON/lfil PATENTEDFEB13 I975 3,715,849

' SHEET 0F 6 IN VENTOR JKWEL STR nssLE SHEET 5 OF 6 PATENTED FEB 1 3 I975 BUILDING CONSTUCTION This invention relates to a building construction which is made of hollow vertical load bearing pillars and girders connectedthereto. The pillars and the girders may be formed of a light metal alloy, for example, an aluminum alloy. These members are advantageously employed in constructions having parts of single, standard dimensions, and which may be quickly built and quickly taken to pieces.

The construction in accordance with the invention is particularly characterized by the fact that the vertical pillars have a horizontal section containing many corners and have corrugated side surfaces, such side surfaces being made up of inwardly and outwardly extending sections which are trapezoidal in horizontal section. In each side surface of a pillar there is an outer peak on each side of an inner peak, and at the corners of the pillars there are disposed outwardly extending ribs. Each of the pillars is provided with at least two side surfaces having apertures therein whereby to permit girders to be connected to or hung upon them.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown by way of example a building construction in accordance with the invention:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the upper end of a pillar;

FIG. 2 is a view in horizontal section through the pillar;

FIG. 3 is an exploded viewin perspective of a multipart girder adapted to be connected to the pillar of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of a fully assembled girder;

FIG. 5 is a view in vertical section through the body of the girder of FIGS. 3 and 4; and

FIG. 6 to FIG. 13, inclusive, are schematic views in perspective showing the step-by-step construction of a building from the pillars shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the girders shown in FIGS. 3-5, inclusive.

As above-indicated, the construction of the pillars of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The pillar 1 is of many-cornered construction, in the illustrative example the pillar having four corners. The pillar is made of a light metal, for example, an alloy of 98.398.7% Al, 0.50.7% Mg, 0.4-0.6% Si, 0.1% Mn, and 0.3% Fe. The pillar 1 is of a symmetrical construction, that is, each of its sides is the same as-all the other sides, and all of the corner constructions are the same. Each side has two outwardly extending trapezoidal-shaped shaped outer peaks 2 and 3 and an' inner peak 4 disposed between the two outer peaks 2 and 3. The general effect of the side thus constructed of the peaks 2, 4, and 3 in sequence is that of a corrugated side wall. The side surfaces of each outer peak 2 and 3 and of each inner peak 4 disposed at an angle of 90 relative to each other. This construction makes it possible, despite changes in temperature, to connect girders directly to the pillars without the necessity of intermediate pieces.

The outer peaks 2 and 3 are provided with projections or flanges 5 which partially cover the inner peak 4. Between successive outer peaks 2 and 3 on each side of the pillar there remains an open space between the confronting edges of the flanges 5. On each corner of the pillar 1 there is provided a rib 7, each rib having a diagonally disposed cross piece 8 and oppositely extending flanges 9 on the outer end of cross piece 8 disposed at with respect to each other. The confronting edges of the flanges 9 and the adjacent flanges 5 provide a clear space between them. The wall strength of the flanges 5 and 9 is equal, and is equal to at least half that of the outer peaks 2 and 3 and the inner peak 4. A place 6 is provided between the confronting edges of the flanges 5 which partially cover the inner peak 4. The re-entrant spaces provided by the flanges 5 and 9 on the side walls and corners of the pi]- lars make it possible to mount wall plates and the like thereon by the use of conventional clamping means.

The pillar l is provided as, for example, at its upper and lower ends, with pairs of openings 10 disposed side-by-side, as shown in FIG. 1. Such openings may be of rectangular shape, as shown, and extend centrally through the outer peaks 2 and 3. As will appear hereinafter, the openings 10 receive fastening means at the ends of the girders. It is possible to provide each of the four sides of the pillars with openings 10, if desired.

Girders designed to interfit with the above-described pillars of FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

Such girders may be formed of the same light aluminum alloy described above for the making of the pillars. Every girder 11 has an elongated main body 11 having a central web 12, the web being thickenedat its upper and lower ends as shown in FIG. 5 at 13. At each of its upper and lower edges, the girder 11 is provided with thickened horizontal flanges 14 disposed normal to the web 12 and extending in the same direction therefrom. The flanges 14 are provided with longitudinally extending grooves 15 and 16 on the inner confronting horizontal faces thereof, the inner edges of grooves I5, 16 lying in the plane of the inner side of the web 12. I

A connector or hanger plate 17 is mounted at each end of the girder 11; the plate 17 has a thickness only slightly less than the width of the grooves 15 and 16, and a height such that the plate may he slipped into the end of the girder as shown in FIG. 4. Each plate 17 has a pair of vertically spaced downwardly open hook formations 18 on its outer edge. The plate members 17 are maintained in place on the ends of the main body of the girder by bolts or rivets extending through holes 19 through the web 12 at opposite ends of the body 11 and longitudinally extending slots 20 in the plate member 17, whereby the plate members may be longitudinally adjusted somewhat with respect to the member 11 before it is tightened thereon. The fasteners extending through the holes 19 in the slots 20 may be made of steel, light metal alloy, or strong plastic material such as nylon, if desired. In the above-described manner there is provided a safe, secure and simple connection between the pillars and the girders. Any further safety fastening devices are not necessary, but if desired, the described fastening of the parts may be supplemented by known clamps and the like.

As is especially shown in FIG. S,'the flanges 14 are provided with ribs 21 upon which there may be mounted, if desired, wall elements, intermediate pieces, window frames and elements, and the like.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 schematically show the beginning of construction of a building from the above-described elements, four pillars and four girders being progressively connected as shown until there results the rudimerits of the frame shown in FIG. 9. in FIG. 9 a workman is shown applying the first of a plurality of secondary girders 23, such secondary girders being hung between the flanges 14 of an opposed pair of girders 11. Thus, the secondary girders 23 may have flanged formations on their opposite edges which make it possible for girders 23 to be introduced between the flanges 14 of the girders 11 when the girders 23 are disposed with their broadextents horizontal, the girders 23 then being turned into vertical position-so that the flanges on their ends lock into the grooves 15 and 16 in the flanges 14. The plurality of thus-applied secondary girders 23 provides support for the panels 22 of a floor, as shown in FIG. 10.

After the floor has been thus applied, a scaffolding 23 may be erected within the building so that upper girders 11 can be applied to the upper ends of the pillars 1 Secondary girders 23 are then applied between opposite girders 11 at the top of the frame, and roof panels 22 may be supported upon such upper secondary girders 23, as shown in FIG. 11.

As shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of secondary uprights 25 may now be applied along each side of the frame between the upper and lower girders 11. After members 23 have been clamped in place by conventional means, not shown, side panels may be applied to the building in the spaces between successive members 25 and secured thereto in a conventional manner. Openings may be left at appropriate places in the side of the building for windows and doors. In the joints between the various frame and side panel members, known elastic packing may be applied whereby to make the building water and air-tight. When pillars, girders, and panels of standard sizes are employed, the building may be erected most easily in the shortest time.

Although the invention is illustrated and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be expressly understood that it is in no way limited to the disclosure of such a preferred embodiment, but is capable of numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A building construction capable of being erected within a relatively short period of time and comprising a plurality of load bearing pillars and connecting girders, the pillars being multi-sided, each side being corrugated and having alternating inner and outer peaks, each peak being of trapezoidal form, the sides of every inner and outer peak being disposed anan angle of with respect to each other; each side of each of said pillars is provided with flanges, and said pillars being provided with ribs at their corners and with flanges on said ribs disposed at an angle with respect to each other; the wall strength of the trapezoidal inwardly and outwardly peaks of said pillars is a plurality of times that of all of said flanges and said ribs on the corners of said pillars; and at least two side surfaces of said pillars are provided with pairs of adjacently disposed apertures extending through the central portion of said outer peaks; said pillars are connected to said girders by means of hanger plates cooperatively associated with said girders, and said hanger plates each having hooks thereon which are engagable with said pair of apertures in said outer eaks.

2. K building construction according to claim 1, wherein said pillars are of a light weight metal.

3. A building construction according to claim 2, wherein said pillars are of an aluminum alloy,

4. A building construction according to claim 1, wherein each of said hanger plates are adjustably connected by at least one clamping bolt in a slot in to girder.

5. A building construction according to claim 1, wherein said girders have a web and two flanges on the edges of said web, said flanges extending parallel to each other and in the same direction normal to said web, said hanger plates being mounted at the ends of said girder between said flanges.

6. A building construction according to claim 5, wherein said flanges have longitudinally extending confronting grooves therein accurately receiving said hanger plates.

7. A building construction according to claim 5, comprising longitudinally extending ribs on the outer longitudinally extending surfaces of said flanges on said web, said ribs being adapted for the mounting of wall elements thereon. 

1. A building construction capable of being erected within a relatively short period of time and comprising a plurality of load bearing pillars and connecting girders, the pillars being multi-sided, each side being corrugated and having alternating inner and outer peaks, each peak being of trapezoidal form, the sides of every inner and outer peak being disposed an an angle of 90* with respect to each other; each side of each of said pillars is provided with flanges, and said pillars being provided with ribs at their corners and with flanges on said ribs disposed at an angle with respect to each other; the wall strength of the trapezoidal inwardly and outwardly peaks of said pillars is a plurality of times that of all of said flanges and said ribs on the corners of said pillars; and at least two side surfaces of said pillars are provided with pairs of adjacently disposed apertures extending through the central portion of said outer peaks; said pillars are connected to said girders by means of hanger plates cooperatively associated with said girders, and said hanger plates each having hooks thereon which are engagable with said pair of apertures in said outer peaks.
 1. A building construction capable of being erected within a relatively short period of time and comprising a plurality of load bearing pillars and connecting girders, the pillars being multi-sided, each side being corrugated and having alternating inner and outer peaks, each peak being of trapezoidal form, the sides of every inner and outer peak being disposed an an angle of 90* with respect to each other; each side of each of said pillars is provided with flanges, and said pillars being provided with ribs at their corners and with flanges on said ribs disposed at an angle with respect to each other; the wall strength of the trapezoidal inwardly and outwardly peaks of said pillars is a plurality of times that of all of said flanges and said ribs on the corners of said pillars; and at least two side surfaces of said pillars are provided with pairs of adjacently disposed apertures extending through the central portion of said outer peaks; said pillars are connected to said girders by means of hanger plates cooperatively associated with said girders, and said hanger plates each having hooks thereon which are engagable with said pair of apertures in said outer peaks.
 2. A building construction according to claim 1, wherein said pillars are of a light weight metal.
 3. A building construction according to claim 2, wherein said pillars are of an aluminum alloy,
 4. A building construction according to claim 1, wherein each of said hanger plates are adjustably connected by at least one clamping bolt in a slot in to girder.
 5. A building construction according to claim 1, wherein said girders have a web and two flanges on the edges of said web, said flanges extending parallel to each other and in the same direction normal to said web, said hanger plates being mounted at the ends of said girder between said flanges.
 6. A building construction according to claim 5, wherein said flanges have longitudinally extending coNfronting grooves therein accurately receiving said hanger plates. 